Why I Don't Watch TV

Confession time: I don't watch TV...I know, cue the weird looks and questions. I didn't grow up with cable, spending Saturday mornings watching cartoons, and probably couldn't tell you many of the shows that are on to this day. No, I didn't grow up on a deserted island, and as strange as it may be to some, I'm actually quite ok with the fact that I never really invested much time in front of the screen. My parents were really adamant that I get outside to play, read books, and try all kinds of fun activities (hello 12 years of ballet) that were interesting to me. Looking back now, I see how intentional they were about something, and the effect (very positive, in this case) that it has had on my life. This got me thinking...are we intentional about certain things in our own lives? Do you do things on purpose because you're tracking for a certain goal, or do you just kind of drift through life, taking everything as it comes? I don't know about you, but I sure want to be a person of intention. Instead of waiting for life to just happen, wasting moments on things that are of little value, let's become intentional about how we invest our time.

Personally, I take a little time each Sunday evening to plan out my schedule for the coming week, and to prepare any materials I might need for meetings and other events coming up. It's the little preparations that keep me intentional about how utilize my time. For example, exercise is an important part of my life, and I am intentional about getting some kind of a workout in every. single. day. Sometimes it's a struggle to wake up extra early to squeeze in that run or to do something after a long day at work, but the hard work and discomfort is worth the results of feeling and looking good. The same way that my parents were intentional about what I watched when I was a child, is similar to what I allow myself to watch, read and listen to, even now. Negative thoughts, people, and information are easily accessible, and that's not the kind of influences I want directing my life, so it's become something that I am very diligent about monitoring. If something is not bringing positivity or beneficial results to my life in some way, I cut it out of my life. Sound strict? Yeah, it is, and I realize that other people might think that it's weird or harsh, but we're looking at results here, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get the results that will come from that kind of discipline. I can't speak for you or your goals, but I can encourage you to examine your own life, and see if you're being intentional about how you live your life, invest your time, and create your habits. Trust me, the people who accomplish great things don't ever do it "on accident"; everything is always, always about habits and discipline. Can you imagine an athlete just walking up to the Olympics to compete without ever training for their event? Certainly not! Each one has trained, prepared, and faced the discomfort of all the hard work that is required to become the best in their country for that sport. To get what you want, you must begin to plan your life around doing what it takes to get there.

Take a moment right now and ask yourself, "Am I living an intentional kind of life?"

4 comments

Thank you for sharing your desires to live with intention. We are such a "go with the flow" generation that often times the values and treasures that come from living a life with intention are lost. To live with intention is to pray with intention.